WORLD CUP HOPES OVER FOR GB

Great Britain are out of the World Cup after losing 67-59 to Israel in Glasgow.

No Olympics in 2020 either but it was the immediate sting of failure to reach the second round of qualification for China 2019 which stung most for GB who finish on a 1-5 record.

An 8-0 second quarter burst at the Emirates Arena allowed the visitors to lead by as much as 26-17 but GB recovered to hold the briefest of advantages before Israel edged 34-33 in front at half-time.

With Ryan Richards earning his first cap since 2011 – and Carl Wheatle dropping out from the 12 which beat Estonia on Friday – the hosts threw a variety of looks and options but shots did not fall and turnovers proved costly.

Down 48-40 late in the third, they clung on grimly with a three from Dan Clark – who scored 19 – cutting the deficit to 58-56 with 3:32 left.

However with Israeli captain Gal Mekel notching 20 points, his team secured their place in the next phase of qualifying later this year.

“I’m disappointed,” said Clark. “We gave ourselves a chance which makes it more difficult to swallow. We tried but they always had control of the game. There wasn’t any amazing performances on either side of court and it came down to the better team.”

Earlier in Group H, Estonia lost 78-56 to Greece, with the Estonians still also advancing into a six-team pool that will also include Serbia, Germany and Georgia.

With a solitary win following narrow losses, GB left themselves in a hole which they ultimately could not get out of.

“We put ourselves in a vey difficult position with our backs against the wall and left it too late,” Clark added.